BLUEJACKET
Banned Idiot
Does anyone know what happend with this deal? The PLAAF could greatly benefit by having this multirole fighter, even as they deploy SU-27/30s.
MiG-31
- Thread starter BLUEJACKET
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Does anyone know what happend with this deal? The PLAAF could greatly benefit by having this multirole fighter, even as they deploy SU-27/30s.
Mig-31 is no way a multi-role fighter, perhaps the only good things about them are their abilities to fly fast and fly high, and what? they could be used for recon purposes but they are darned expensive to operate as well, high fuel consumption and regular engine maintenance will cost alot alone just to get this babe going. Being interceptors they hold no great strategic values these days as dedicated bombers are being phased out. About the deal you mentioned in your post I've actually heard rumors of it years ago but it was never confirmed by any official sources, IMHO having 24 Foxhounds is more than sufficient to carry out reconnaissance duties, for interceptions J8s can do the trick, I don't see the need for China to ever license produce this aircraft but I have to admit they are some of the best looking aviation beauties ever built 
That was back when PLAAF was evaluating different Russian aircraft, and they concluded that the Su-27 was the best choice. We have to keep in mind that the PLA was poor back then and the initial Su-27 order was partially paid for via barter goods. They couldn't afford to splurge billions on several different aircraft.
By the time that they had more $ to spend, it's clear that the MiG-31 platform doesn't have much of a future. Though I think they could've benefitted by importing a small batch and absorbing some of its technology. The MiG-31 could've replaced some of the J-8's roles.
By the time that they had more $ to spend, it's clear that the MiG-31 platform doesn't have much of a future. Though I think they could've benefitted by importing a small batch and absorbing some of its technology. The MiG-31 could've replaced some of the J-8's roles.
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What I heard was that the PLAAF wanted MiG-31 and MiG-29. Sukhoi is who? Its not a brand name the PLAAF was interested in. But MiG-31 was rejected by the Russian government. PLAAF might have gone through with MiG-29 but it was Li Peng that turned it to Sukhoi and shoved it down the PLAAF throats amidst much PLAAF objections.
The rest they say is history.
The rest they say is history.
kunmingren
Junior Member
if su27 was a much superior jet, why did the russian refuse to sell an inferior mig31 to China but allowed for the more capable Su27?
oringo
Junior Member
I think one of the reason from the Russian side was that Mig-31, at the time, was equipped with the best Russian radar system (200km range, 10-target tracking phase-array radar). Su-27 was equipped with a much less capable radar. If I were them, I'd probably not want to sell this to Chinese, and Chinese would probably want the radar bundled with the aircraft. There's probably also the R-33/37 that Russians didn't want to sell.
I think that China's decision to go with Su-27 is a wise one. Mig-31 is an expensive F-1 dragster and not as suitable for combat as Su-27. You can sorta tell from the G-limit: Mig-31 is limited to 5G at supersonic speeds, compare that to Su-27's impressive 9G. China desperately needed some aircraft that can combat the F-16s that Taiwan was acquiring, and Su-27 was a sure win.
The Mig-31 and more modern deritives are quite possibly the worlds best BVR killers and hival target hunters (since the F-14 retired). Thier data linking radar curtain awacs type capability can also aid in air superioty missions.
Any nation with serious airdefense concerns should look at this craft. They are expensive and complex but add a whole new dimensoion to aircombat. A Mig 25 of the Iraqi airforce shot down an F/A-18 by first out running the Hornets missile and then chasing down the hornet in a tail chase and putting a missile up it's rear. The Mig 31 is nearly as fast and has vaslty better range, avionics, and weapons.
Any nation with serious airdefense concerns should look at this craft. They are expensive and complex but add a whole new dimensoion to aircombat. A Mig 25 of the Iraqi airforce shot down an F/A-18 by first out running the Hornets missile and then chasing down the hornet in a tail chase and putting a missile up it's rear. The Mig 31 is nearly as fast and has vaslty better range, avionics, and weapons.
My understanding was the Speicher had launched a HARM at a ground target and that the Mig-25, who had slipped in a gap in the AWACS coverage downed the F-18 with an AA-6. I have never heard that the F-18 had fired a missile at the Mig...in fact, to the contrary, I had heard that the F-18 were specifically instructed not to hunt Migs but to leave that up to the F-15s at the time.
Here's one rather detailed description of the engagement given by the site
I think the case is the MiG-31 is a high-end weaponsystem limited to a single purpose - BVR interception. And since aircraft are one of the most expensiv things in any military you need quiet a big defence-budget.
And nowadays and in the near future the chinese Flankers will receive capable BVR missiles and long range radars.
So I think they can really live with them ...
And nowadays and in the near future the chinese Flankers will receive capable BVR missiles and long range radars.
So I think they can really live with them ...
BLUEJACKET
Banned Idiot
Since his name came up, I wonder what really happened to him? The last I heard was that he's now considered MIA, not KIA. If only Iraqis were involved, chances are by now there would be more tangible evidence of his fate. For all I know, he could be turned over to the Russians like some US pilots during Korean, Vietnam & Cold wars.
Even if those Su-27/30 are good, I still think that the MiG-31, though not a dogfighter, could be used against air, land, sea and even space targets- that's what I meant by "multirole". With their unique capabilities (I hope you 've read those links), MiG-31s can be fielded as force multipliers among other PLAAF/AN units. As zraver says:
phoenixgunner says:
Precisely: flying fast & high would allow to detect & attack enemy ships, aircraft and cruise missiles without being shot down! Where did you get info. on their engine performance? And even if it's true, the in-flight refueling is always an option. If Foxhounds weren't that valuable, the Russians wouldn't have invested in their upgrades- they would instead order more !
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